El Paso's Star on the Mountain turns orange for work zone traffic safety
El Paso's iconic Star on the Mountain will be orange on Wednesday night, April 17, in honor of National Work Zone Awareness Week.
This lighting is sponsored by El Paso Electric to shine attention on work zone traffic safety and highlight the utility's "commitment to safety and acknowledgment of the vital work performed in construction and maintenance zones," the El Paso Chamber said in a statement.
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National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 15-19. This year’s theme is "Work Zones are temporary. Actions behind the wheel can last forever."
"Road crews are often working only a few feet away from fast-moving vehicles and are counting on drivers to pay attention to traffic control devices and flashing signs to keep them safe," Texas Department of Transportation El Paso District Engineer Tomas Treviño said in a statement.
"The public should be aware we are working for them, and our men and women out there have family and friends they want to go home to at the end of each day," Treviño said.
Why is the El Paso Star on the Mountain orange?
The landmark Star on the Mountain will be colored orange in recognition of National Work Zone Awareness Week and help remind drivers to reduce speeds, be patient and follow traffic-control signs in work zones.
In El Paso in 2023, there were 835 traffic crashes in work zones, resulting in seven fatalities and 20 serious injuries, the Texas Department of Transportation reported.
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In the six counties that make up the El Paso District of TxDOT, there were 1,102 traffic crashes in work zones, including10 fatalities and 28 serious injuries.
National Work Zone Awareness Week is promoted by TxDOT, the New Mexico Department of Transportation, El Paso Electric and law enforcement agencies across the region.
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This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Why is El Paso's Star on the Mountain orange?
